Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 04, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	The GEO Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000923796
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,333,944
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	1-14260
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
Entity Tax Identification Number	65-0043078
Entity Address, Address Line One	4955 Technology Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Boca Raton
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33431
City Area Code	561
Local Phone Number	893-0101
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	GEO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE